Image displaying method and display using the same

ABSTRACT

A method of controlling a display device selectively displaying one of a first signal received from a first signal source and a second signal received from a second signal source is provided. The method includes the steps of: displaying the second signal; detecting whether the first signal is received; and displaying the first signal when the first signal is received by the display device.

This application claims the benefit of Taiwan application Serial No.95124903, filed Jul. 7, 2006, the subject matter of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates in general to an image displaying method and adisplay device using the method, and more particularly to an imagedisplaying method and a display device using the method with the highconvenience.

2. Description of the Related Art

Video entertainment has occupied an indispensable position in the lifeof the modern human beings, and a display device, such as a television,is an indispensable element. In general, audio and video interfaces areprovided at a front end or a lateral end of the television so that theconsumer can perform the easy installation. After the consumer hasinstalled a peripheral audio-video (AV) apparatus, such as a video gamemachine or a DVD drive, the television and the video game machine arerespectively turned on, and then an input port is selected by switchingthe channel. Thus, the frame of the peripheral AV signal source can berepresented on the frame of the television.

FIG. 1 (Prior Art) is a state diagram showing operation mode switchingof a conventional television 100. Referring to FIG. 1, the television100 has multiple operation modes, such as an off mode 102, a standbymode 104, a TV mode 106, a first AV operation mode 111 and second ton^(th) AV operation modes 112 to 11 n. The television 100 is usually inthe off mode 102, in which the television 100 is not powered on yet.After the television 100 is powered on, the television 100 is in thestandby mode 104.

When the user turns on the power switch, the television has a chance tobe in the TV mode 106. Then, the input port may be selected by switchingthe channel, and the operation mode of the television may besequentially switched to the first AV operation mode 111 to the n^(th)AV operation mode 11 n, or from the n^(th) AV operation mode 11 n to theTV mode 106. The first AV operation mode 111 to the n^(th) AV operationmode 11 n respectively correspond to the different peripheral AV signalsources, such as a DVD drive or a video game machine. Either thetelevision 100 is in the TV mode 106 or one of the first AV operationmode 111 to the n^(th) AV operation mode 11 n, the television 100 goesback to the standby mode 104 when the user turns off the power switch.The television 100 is in the off mode 102 after it is powered off.

However, the peripheral AV signal source, such as the video gamemachine, is frequently used at home by users, wherein most of the usersare kids. The kids usually do not understand how to select the operationmode of the television, and thus need the help of the adults inselecting the correct operation mode so that the AV operation modecorresponding to the used peripheral AV signal source may be selected.Consequently, the selection of the operation mode may bring the troubleto the adults for a long time, and the convenience in use is alsodeteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to an image displaying method and a displaydevice using the same, wherein hardware and software are combined sothat an operation mode of a television is switched from a current modeto a first priority mode when the first priority mode of the televisionis triggered. Thus, the television displays an image corresponding tothe first priority mode and the convenience in use can be enhanced.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a televisioncapable to be operated in a plurality of operation modes comprising afirst priority mode is provided. The television is connected to aplurality of signal sources. The television includes a screen, aplurality of input ports, a detecting circuit and a processor. The inputports respectively connect to the plurality of signal sources, and oneof the input ports is corresponding to the first priority mode. Thedetecting circuit detects whether a first signal is received at theinput port corresponding to the first priority mode. When the firstsignal is received at the input port corresponding to the first prioritymode, the television is triggered to operate in the first priority mode.The processor displays the first signal on the screen when thetelevision is in the first priority mode.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method ofcontrolling a display device selectively displaying one of a firstsignal received from a first signal source and a second signal receivedfrom a second signal source is provided. The method includes the stepsof: displaying the second signal; detecting whether the first signal isreceived; and displaying the first signal when the first signal isreceived by the display device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a display deviceis provided. The display device includes a screen, a first input port, asecond input port, a detecting circuit and a processor. The first inputport receives a first signal from a first signal source. The secondinput port receives a second signal from a second signal source. Thedetecting circuit detects whether the first signal is presented at thefirst input port. The processor selectively controls one of the firstsignal and the second signal to be displayed on the screen. When thedetecting circuit determines the first signal is presented at the firstinput port, the processor displays the first signal on the screen. Whenthe detecting circuit determines the first signal is absent from thefirst input port, the processor displays the second signal on thescreen.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method ofcontrolling a display device is further provided. The display device iscapable to be operated in a standby mode or a turn-on mode, receives afirst signal from a first signal source. The method includes the stepsof: setting the display device to operate in the standby mode; detectingwhether the first signal is received; and setting the display device tooperate in the turn-on mode and displaying the first signal when thefirst signal is received by the display device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a display deviceis provided. The display device includes a screen, an input port, adetecting circuit, a processor and a standby power circuit. The inputport receives a first signal from a first signal source. The detectingcircuit detects whether the first signal is presented at the input port.The processor selectively controls the display device to be operated inone of a standby mode and a turn-on mode. The processor controls thedisplay device to be operated in the turn-on mode and displays the firstsignal on the screen when the detecting circuit determines that thefirst signal is presented at the input port. The processor controls thedisplay device to be operated in the standby mode when the detectingcircuit determines the first signal is absent at the input port.

The invention will become apparent from the following detaileddescription of the preferred but non-limiting embodiments. The followingdescription is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 (Prior Art) is a state diagram showing operation mode switchingof a conventional television.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an image displaying method applied to atelevision according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a state diagram showing operation mode switching of thetelevision according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A is a state diagram showing an example of the operation modeswitching of the television according to the preferred embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4B is a state diagram showing another example of the operation modeswitching of the television according to the preferred embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4C is a state diagram showing still another example of theoperation mode switching of the television according to the preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the television having a first prioritymode according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a detecting circuit506 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an image displaying method and a display deviceusing the same, wherein hardware and software are combined so that anoperation mode of a television is switched from a current mode to afirst priority mode when the first priority mode of the television istriggered. Thus, the television displays an image corresponding to thefirst priority mode and the convenience in use can be enhanced.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an image displaying method applied to atelevision according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Asshown in FIG. 2, the television usually has many operation modesincluding, for example, an off mode, a standby mode and a turn-on mode.The turn-on mode includes, for example, a TV mode, a game mode or manyaudio-video (AV) operation modes.

First, in step 200, the user sets one of the operation modes as a firstpriority mode. Of course, this first priority mode may also be set asone of the operation modes when the television is shipped out. Then, instep 202, the television operates in a current mode, which is one of theoperation modes. Next, in step 204, the television has a chance todetermine whether the first priority mode is triggered. For example,when the television receives a video signal corresponding to the firstpriority mode, the television has a chance to determine whether thefirst priority mode is triggered. If the first priority mode istriggered, the operation mode of the television is switched from thecurrent mode to the first priority mode in step 208 so that thetelevision displays an image corresponding to the first priority mode.

FIG. 3 is a state diagram showing operation mode switching of atelevision 300 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.As shown in FIG. 3, the television 300 individually receives atelevision signal from a television signal source, receives a videosignal, which is outputted after a video game machine is turned on, fromthe video game machine, and receives many video signals from the AVsignal sources. The television 300 has an off mode 302, a standby mode304, a TV mode 306, a game mode 308 and many AV operation modes 31 x(x=1 to n). The television 300 displays the television signal, the videosignal outputted after the video game machine is turned on and the videosignals in the TV mode 306, the game mode 308 and the AV operationmodes, respectively. In this illustrated embodiment, the game mode 308is set as the first priority mode. When the television 300 is notconnected to an external power, such as the mains, the television 300 isin the off mode 302. When the television 300 is connected to theexternal power and the video signal outputted from the video gamemachine does not exist, the television 300 is in the standby mode 304.After the user turns on the power switch, the television 300 enters theturn-on mode, and the television 300 may be set, in advance, as directlyentering the first priority mode (e.g., the game mode 308) or staying inthe last mode before the user shuts down the television 300.

If the television 300 receives the video signal of the first prioritymode, which is outputted after the video game machine is turned on, thatis, when the television 300 determines that the video signal outputtedafter the video game machine is turned on exists, the television 300determines that the first priority mode is triggered. No matter whichone of the standby mode 304, the TV mode 306 and the AV operation modes31 x (x=1 to n) is entered by the television 300, the television 300immediately switches to the game mode 308 so as to display the imagecorresponding to the video signal outputted from the video game machineafter the video game machine is turned on without requesting the user tooperate the television 300 again. Thus, the user can start to operatethe video game machine and view the operation result on the television300.

When the user wants to switch the operation mode to another mode, he orshe can switch the operation mode of the television 300 to one of the AVoperation modes 31 x (x=1 to n), to the standby mode 304, to the TV mode306 and then back to the game mode 308 sequentially by switching thechannel. In addition, when the video game machine is powered off, thetelevision 300 determines whether the video signal, which is outputtedafter the video game machine boots, is absent and then goes back to theprevious current mode, such as the standby mode 304, the TV mode 306, orone of the AV operation modes 31 x (x=1 to n).

Three examples for mode switching will be illustrated in detailed in thefollowing. FIG. 4A is a state diagram showing an example of theoperation mode switching of the television according to the preferredembodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the television300 is set as the TV mode and receives the television signal from thetelevision signal source, the user may watch the television program. Atthis time, if the television 300 determines that the video signaloutputted after the video game machine is turned on exists, the firstpriority mode is triggered and the television 300 automatically switchesto the game mode 308 so as to display the video signal after the videogame machine is turned on without the channel selecting operation beingmade by the user. When the television 300 determines that the videosignal after the video game machine is turned on is absent, thetelevision 300 goes back to the TV mode 306 and displays the imagecorresponding to the television signal.

FIG. 4B is a state diagram showing another example of the operation modeswitching of the television according to the preferred embodiment of theinvention. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the television 300 is set as thefirst AV operation mode and receives the video signal from theaudio-video (AV) signal source, the user may watch a film played by thefirst AV signal source, such as the film outputted from a VCD player ora DVD player. At this time, if the television 300 determines that thevideo signal outputted after the video game machine is turned on exists,the first priority mode is triggered and the television 300automatically switches to the game mode 308 so as to display the videosignal outputted after the video game machine is turned on without thechannel selecting operation being made by the user. When the television300 determines that the video signal outputted after the video gamemachine is turned on is absent, the television 300 goes back to thefirst AV operation mode 311 and displays the video signal.

FIG. 4C is a state diagram showing still another example of theoperation mode switching of the television according to the preferredembodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 4C, when the television300 is set as the standby mode 304 and the television 300 determinesthat the video signal outputted after the video game machine is turnedon exists, the first priority mode is triggered and the television 300automatically operates in the turn-on mode so as to display the videosignal outputted after the video game machine is turned on without thechannel selecting operation being made by the user. When the television300 determines that the video signal outputted after the video gamemachine is turned on is absent, the television 300 goes back to thestandby mode 304.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the first priority mode isillustrated by taking the game mode 308 as a non-restrictive example,and any other mode may also be set as the first priority mode.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a television 500 having a firstpriority mode according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.Referring to FIG. 5, the television 500 includes a display screen 502,input ports 504 x (x=1 to n), a detecting circuit 506 and a processor508. The input ports 504 x (x=1 to n) respectively receive the videosignals, which are respectively outputted from the AV signal sourcescorresponding to these operation modes. For example, the input ports 504x (x=1 to n) respectively receive the video signal outputted after thevideo game machine is turned on from the video game machine, receive thetelevision signal from the television signal source or receive thecorresponding video signals from the AV signal sources.

The detecting circuit 506 detects whether the AV signal sourcecorresponding to the first priority mode outputs the video signal. Whenthe television 500 receives the video signal corresponding to the firstpriority mode, the detecting circuit 506 determines that the videosignal corresponding to the first priority mode exists, and the firstpriority mode of the television 500 is triggered. The processor 508 canselectively control one of the video signal, the television signal andthe video signal outputted after the video game machine is turned on tobe displayed on the display screen. When the first priority mode istriggered, the processor 508 outputs the video signal corresponding tothe first priority mode to the display screen 502. When the television500 cannot receive the video signal corresponding to the first prioritymode any longer, the detecting circuit 506 determines that the videosignal corresponding to the first priority mode is absent, and theprocessor 508 outputs the video signal corresponding to the current modeto the display screen 502. The television 500 further includes a standbypower circuit 510 for supplying a standby power to the detecting circuit506 and the processor 508 when the television 500 is in the standbymode.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the detecting circuit506 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 6, when the television 500 receives the video signal Videocorresponding to the first priority mode, a transistor Q1 turns onthrough the cooperation of a first inverting amplifier 5061 and a secondinverting amplifier 5062. After a predetermined period of time, acapacitor C1 is boosted to a fixed voltage so that the transistor Q1outputs a high-level processor waking signal Detect_pin to trigger theprocessor 508 and make the processor 508 output the video signalcorresponding to the first priority mode to the display screen 502 sothat the video signal can be displayed on the frame of the television500 preferentially.

The embodiment of the invention is illustrated by taking the televisionas an example, and may also be applied to other displays withoutrestricting the scope of the television.

In the image displaying method and the display using the same accordingto the invention, the hardware and software are combined so that theoperation mode of the television is switched from the current mode tothe first priority mode when the first priority mode of the televisionis triggered. Thus, the television displays the image corresponding tothe first priority mode and the convenience in use can be enhanced. Inaddition, the user needs not to perform any complicated switchingoperation on the television and the operation mode can be switched tothe first priority mode quickly. Thus, the object of enhancing theconvenience in use may be achieved in this invention.

More particularly, when the user is a kid who wants to use the videogame machine, the kid can start to use the video game machine by onlyinserting the connector of the video game machine into the televisionwithout any switching operation. Thus, the adult does not have to assistthe kid in performing the complicated switching operation and the kidcan start to use the video game machine easily. Meanwhile, it is alsopossible to prevent the kid from damaging the television when the kidsincorrectly operate the television.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms ofa preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, it is intended to cover variousmodifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope ofthe appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similararrangements and procedures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A television capable to be operated in aplurality of operation modes comprising a first priority mode, thetelevision connected to a plurality of signal sources, the televisioncomprising: a screen; a plurality of input ports for respectivelyconnecting to the plurality of signal sources, one of the input portsbeing corresponding to the first priority mode; a detecting circuit fordetecting whether a first signal is received at an input port, anddetecting whether the input port at which the first signal is receivedis corresponding to the first priority mode, wherein when the firstsignal is received at the input port corresponding to the first prioritymode, the television is triggered to operate in the first priority mode;and a processor for displaying the first signal on the screen when thetelevision is in the first priority mode; wherein when the firstpriority mode of the television is not triggered, and the television isin one of the other operation modes, the processor displays a secondsignal corresponding to one of the other operation modes on the screen.2. The television according to claim 1, wherein the first priority modeis the game mode for receiving the first signal from a game machine. 3.The television according to claim 1, wherein the operation modes furthercomprise a standby mode, and the television further comprises a standbypower circuit for supplying a standby power to the detecting circuit andthe processor when the television is in the standby mode.
 4. A method ofcontrolling a display device selectively displaying one of a firstsignal received from a first signal source and a second signal receivedfrom a second signal source, the method comprising the steps of:displaying the second signal when the display device is operated in acurrent mode of the display device; detecting whether the first signalis received at an input port of the display device, and detectingwhether the input port is corresponding to a first priority mode of thedisplay device; and displaying the first signal when the first signal isreceived at the input port corresponding to the first priority mode bythe display device; wherein the display device is capable to be operatedin the first priority mode, a television (TV) mode or an audio-video(AV) mode, the display device receives a television signal from atelevision signal source, and receives an video signal from anaudio-video (AV) signal source, the display device displays thetelevision signal when the display device is operated in the TV mode,the display device displays the video signal when the display device isoperated in the AV operation mode, the display device detects whetherthe first signal is received by the display device; and the displaydevice is triggered to be operated in the first priority mode anddisplays the first signal when the first signal is received by thedisplay device.
 5. The method according to claim 4, further comprisingthe steps of: continuously displaying the second signal when the firstsignal is not received by the display device.
 6. The method according toclaim 5, wherein the first signal source is a video game machine, thefirst signal is a video signal after the video game machine is turnedon, the second signal source is the television signal source, and thesecond signal is the television signal.
 7. A display device, comprising:a screen; a first input port for receiving a first signal from a firstsignal source; a second input port for receiving a second signal from asecond signal source; a detecting circuit for detecting whether thefirst signal is presented at the first input port, and detecting whetherthe first input port is corresponding to a first priority mode of thedisplay device; and a processor for selectively controlling one of thefirst signal and the second signal to be displayed on the screen;wherein when the detecting circuit determines the first signal ispresented at the first input port and determines the first input port iscorresponding to the first priority mode of the display device, theprocessor displays the first signal on the screen; and when thedetecting circuit determines the first signal is absent from the firstinput port or determines the first input port is not corresponding tothe first priority mode of the display device, the processor displaysthe second signal on the screen.
 8. The display device according toclaim 7, wherein the first signal source is a video game machine, thefirst signal is received after the video game machine is turned on. 9.The display device according to claim 8, wherein the second signalsource is an audio-video (AV) equipment, the second signal comprising anaudio-video signal, and the processor displays the audio-video signal onthe screen when the video game machine is off.
 10. The display deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the input ports receive a televisionsignal from a television signal source, and receive a video signal froman audio-video (AV) signal source, the processor displays the televisionsignal on the screen when the display device is set in a TV mode and thedetecting circuit determines the first signal is not received, and theprocessor displays the video signal on the screen when the displaydevice is set in an AV operation mode and the detecting circuitdetermines the first signal is not received.